Nyatsambo Crowned Champion at 2026 Corporate Individual Chess Championship

Congratulations to Christian Nyatsambo of Khayah Cement on winning the 2026 Corporate Individual Chess Championship held at the iconic Monomotapa Hotel on Saturday, 6 June 2026.

Christian scored a stellar 6 points from 7 games to top the 84-player tournament roster, losing only to Tapiwa Gora of Mwos, who eventually came second. Christian and Tapiwa were among 6 players who scored 6 points at the event, only to be separated on the tie breaks, a testament to the stiff competition at this year’s event.

Matthew Kaverenga of Crown Legacy was third, followed by the reigning 2026 Bulawayo Corporate Chess Champion, Rickie Malaba. Last year’s runner-up, Michael Ngwerume of TV sales, was in 5th position this year.

The Best Female Player award was won by Anymore Musuta of CBZ, making it two years in a row for CBZ, which also won it in 2025. The second-best female went to Toboka Tshuma of Harare City.

The overall Best Performing company Award went to the Zimbabwe Power Company, all the way from Hwange. The second-best-performing company was Khayah Cement. CICC 2026 had a record 16 organisations in attendance, signalling growing interest in chess by the Zimbabwe corporates.

Christian Nyatsambo walked away with the Championship shield, an upright fridge and a lavish full dress up by 4 May International.

We extend our appreciation to all the organisations that made this year’s event possible. Special gratitude to Harare Chess Academy, Gifts of Chess and 4 May International, who were the 2026 Corporate Individual Chess Championship sponsoring partners.

Click the link to see 50 selected photos from the event

About the 2026 Corporate Individual Chess Championship

The 2026 Corporate Individual Chess Championship is the second edition of the chess tournament organised and hosted annually by the Harare Chess Society. The event is exclusive to corporate employees with a FIDE rating below 1950.